After the Third Way: The Future of Social Democracy in Europe

The social democratic parties were once the strongest political forces in Europe. Today, however, they appear disorientated and rudderless, crucially lacking the ideological, intellectual and organisational vitality which underpinned their strength in the post-war political landscape. Electorally marginalised, seemingly ideologically exhausted and often out-of-step with the contemporary zeitgeist, European social democracy is currently in profound need of revision and renewal - potentially its very existence as a political force is under threat. This book marks a serious attempt to forge the intellectual backbone of a renewed social democracy fit for the 21st century. Bringing together leading academics, political thinkers and policy experts, it offers a new and original perspective on ideological and policy innovation and will be invaluable reading for anyone interested in the future of social democracy.

Preface – Olaf Cramme & Patrick Diamond The Guiding Purpose of Centre-Left Politics Chapter 1: From Fatalism to Fraternity: Governing Purpose and the Good Society – Patrick Diamond, Policy Network Chapter 2: Social Democracy in a Global Era – Luke Martell, University of Sussex Policy Predicaments Chapter 3: The Mechanics of Markets: Politics, Economics and Finance – John Kay, London School of Economics Chapter 4: Debt and Deficits: The Quest for Economic Competence – Andrew Gamble, University of Cambridge Chapter 5: Social Democracy at the End of the Welfare State? – Peter Gooby-Taylor, University of Kent Chapter 6: Building Sustainable Solidarity: Institutional Legitimacy and Social Trust – Bo Rothstein, Gothenburg University Chapter 7: Progress and Social Policy: Two and a Half Cheers for Education – Lane Kenworthy, University of Arizona Chapter 8: Social Cohesion, Culture Politics and the Impact of Migration – Mark Elchardus, University of Brussels & Rene Cuperus, Wiardi Beckman Stichting Chapter 9: Identity, Community and a Politics of Recognition – Mike Kenny, University of Sheffield Governance and Politics Chapter 10: The Politics of European Integration – Olaf Cramme, Policy Network Chapter 11: After the Mass Party: Progressive Coalitions for a Fragmented Left? – Frank Decker & Volker Best, University of Bonn Chapter 12: Back to the Future: Towards a Red-Green Politics – John McTernan, political strategist Chapter 13: The Squeezed Middle and the New Inequality – Liam Byrne, UK Labour Party Chapter 14: Coming to terms with the Challenges to Internationalism – John Lloyd, The Financial Times Chapter 15: Citizen Engagement and the Quest for Solidarity – Henry Tam, Cambridge University Chapter 16: Cooperation, Creativity and Equality: Key Concepts for a New Social Democratic Era – Robert Misik, independent political analyst & Tobias Dürr, Berliner Republik Afterword – Olaf Cramme & Patrick Diamond